New Lyme Disease Map and other Health GIS News

A new map pinpoints well-defined areas of the Eastern United States where humans have the highest risk of contracting Lyme disease, one of the most rapidly emerging infectious diseases in North America, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. researchers found high infection risk confined mainly to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest and low risk in the South. The results were published in the February issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

How do you figure out where to off teen health services in Gaston, North Carolina?

To decide where the satellite services were needed, officials used county GIS mapping data to see where teenage clients live. An emphasis was placed on pinpointing teens classified as being “at-risk” for not getting the services they need, [ the health department’s medical director, Velma] Taormina said.

“Gastonia had the most teens, but there were also hot spots around the county,” she said. “To address that, we chose to expand our clinical services for teens to those Bessemer City and Cherryville locations. Teens there may have transportation issues with getting to Gastonia.”